Savills triumphs as wealthy buyers rush to hit stamp duty deadlines

Broker Numis says Savills' profits could be 32% up on last year (Picture: Getty) Bloomberg via Getty Images

The last-minute rush to push through expensive house purchases after the Chancellor’s shock overhaul of stamp duty will fatten profits at estate agent Savills, the company has said.

The changes to stamp duty — making the tax far more expensive on properties at the upper end of the market — saw a host of agents remain open until midnight on the day of the December announcement, as wealthy buyers looked to save thousands of pounds by completing their purchases before the new rules came in.

Savills’ shares jumped 7% or 46p to 698p today as the company, run by Jeremy Helsby, pictured, confirmed that revenue and profits “significantly” exceeded its previous forecasts for the month.